Blog 48: A new beginning
Well yes it’s done! we have sadly moved beyond the phase of struggling to find excuses to get Pat and team out here…
Casa Nga Kereru
Living room pro shot
A wider, still pro, viewpoint
In December we completed the decks and the main bathroom fit-out, in readiness for family flying in from Italy and Australia for a Christmas house warming, we had 11 staying in the house over Christmas and many local visitors :-)
Front decks, eucalyptus saligna starting to silver off
Pats beautiful work a tadelakt plaster finish in our bathroom wet area’s
Fiorella and Dario arrived from Italy mid December and will be with us for a month, they have been a joy to have here. Dario helping with the endless jobs we have to complete and Fiorella tirelessly housekeeping and cooking for the huge crew we have had staying here, totally in her element! hugely appreciated.
Bush walking with Fiorella and Dario in the Ruahine foothills of Wakarara
A work day break for the family, Pat joining us for a legendary Fiorella lunch
Throughout his stay Rhys was taking stills and movies and even interviews, and cousin James took a bunch of awesome candid photos on Boxing Day at the extended family gathering and brought out his drone again. Thanks so much guys, and yes stay tuned for some more Nga Kereru video instalments.
A photo of a photographer taking a photo.. Rhys at work
We had saved some work to share with the kids so everyone has participated in creating our family home, the painting of the house exterior was the task as we had to wait a few months after lime plastering for it to cure before putting silicate (breathable) paint on. Primer coat, and two finish coats… Pat and team helped got us started with the primer coat, and when the kids arrived we put up the scaffolds and had a working bee to get the first top coat on. A lot of fun had by all, rewarded with a few presents, nonna Fiorella’s cooking and a bottomless beer fridge :-)
Kicking it off with Pat
Aless cutting in,. presents still in their wrapping
Alex working from the scaffold
Sarah and Georgia pause for a quick photo opportunity..
Everyone except me with a brush in hand, peace and love man..
Many opportunities to fire up the pizza oven over Christmas feeding the live in crew and extended family and friends visitors, a joyful time..
Pro pizza prep shot
Aless at the heart of the pizza production experience
Spin it.. with flash Christmas shirt on
Dario happy doing the honours
And then before you know it.. it was time for the kids to fly back to Sydney to celebrate New Years. Back in the bay with help from Dario and Everett we boxed on and got the final coat of paint on, and its all done, finished.. thats it.. Sad but great.. mixed feelings. A HUGE thankyou to everyone who had a hand in creating our dream home, wishing you all a happy new year and bring on the new decade!
Love Andrew and Alessandra
Sunset pro shot, thanks Rhys
Gorgeous sunset, sadly from Aussie bushfire smoke